Removing mudguards: all or just front?

Everyone has their own opinion, and I am a big boy and have my own. However I still wanted to get other people's opinions.

Earlier in the year I bought new rims and 32s. As anyone who has gotten larger tires knows, a little rubbing can occur on the mudguards up front. I had been experiencing this slight rub from the beginning, but oddly enough after another alignment, the rubbing worsened. So I decided to completely remove both the mudguards on each side of the front. I have not quite gotten to the back yet.

I am a fan of symmetry and think that it would look better to remove all mudguards as opposed to just the fronts. Have any other Taco owners kept the back guards on while removing the front?

Is there any benefit from keeping the back guards on? Are there other symmetry fans out there that would encourage me to remove the back?

 

I kept the backs due to state law. I'll put the fronts back on for the winter with my smaller setup.

 

Oh I didn't think about that. Where are you located?

 

NH

 

Gotcha. Based on this site, MO has no mudguard law: http://www.liftlaws.com/missouri_lift_laws.htm

So I think I am ok. Still wondering what others have done.

 

I took all of mine off. That being said, I like to live outside the law.

 

I took all four of mine off within an hour of leaving the dealership. They kill MPG look dorky (IMHO) and catch on EVERYTHING offroad and even some on road stuff. So, gone. I do not miss them. Truck looks so much less mom-mobile without them. I plan on running at least 33" tires on minimal lift, I want to keep my CG low, so I plan to do some fender trimming which means I'd have to ditch them later anyhow.

 

If you have the alignment shop double check the Caster (should be 2.0 to 2.5) and adjust it to that, your rubbing should stop. What are your specs from the recent alignment?

 

I originally pulled the fronts when I put bigger tires on for clearance. I ripped a rear off doing some wheeling and I just removed the other one so now I'm flapless.

I do not see much in the way of rock chips and I have spacers so the tires extend past the wheel well.

I think I like the looks without the flaps gone from all four corners better. It looked a bit strange at first but I like it now.

 

Personally I'm a fan of symmetry.
First Taco 2nd gen was lifted with 285's and I pulled the flaps off.
New truck is a 3rd gen with no lift or tire mod's and I've chosen to leave the flaps on until there is a reason to remove them other than simple appearances.
Without flaps these trucks have a cleaner and taller appearance + it does provide that extra amount of tire clearance.
With Flaps well, it just helps keep you legal (in some states) and it protects your paint.
just my $.02

 

yup, all 4 of mine went into the trash can.

 

I just looked online and called to get the details, but apparently they just pitch the printout. Would I have known this, I'd have been holding onto every printout for an alignment that I get. Point taken, going forward, I will ask to keep it.

Doh.

 

Removed the fronts kept the rear

 

The Fronts suck ass at Stock size.... Can't imagine having them with anything bigger...

 

265/75/16 AT. Took them off the first week in 2007, along with all the shiny badges. Never had a rock chip or damage behind the wheels while my hood is totally trashed with rock chips.

 

got rid of the fronts just b/c they rubbed with 33's but kept the back b/c im just too lazy to remove them. doesnt bother me. and i dont have any rock chips on the fronts.